CVE-2013-2876 in Chrome
Summary
by MITRE
browser/extensions/api/tabs/tabs_api.cc in Google Chrome before 28.0.1500.71 does not properly enforce restrictions on the capture of screenshots by extensions, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information about the content of a previous page via vectors involving an interstitial page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2876 resides within the chrome browser extensions api implementation specifically in the tabs_api.cc file. This flaw represents a critical security oversight in the extension permission system that governs how browser extensions can interact with tab content and capture screenshots. The vulnerability affects Google Chrome versions prior to 28.0.1500.71 and stems from inadequate enforcement of security restrictions that should prevent extensions from capturing screenshots of sensitive web content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a failure in the permission model that governs screenshot capture capabilities for browser extensions. When a user navigates through web pages, particularly when encountering interstitial pages such as warning messages, certificate errors, or security alerts, the extension system should properly isolate and restrict access to these sensitive contexts. However, the flaw allows malicious or poorly designed extensions to bypass these isolation mechanisms and capture screenshots of previous page content, including potentially sensitive information that users might not have intended to share with extensions.
This vulnerability operates through a specific attack vector involving interstitial pages, which are temporary web pages that appear during browser operations such as SSL certificate warnings, download prompts, or security alerts. The flaw allows extensions to capture screenshots of these interstitial pages even when the extension does not possess the necessary permissions to access the underlying content. The attack scenario typically involves an extension with screenshot capabilities being able to capture the contents of interstitial pages that were displayed on the previous tab, potentially exposing sensitive data such as login credentials, personal information, or confidential communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential data breaches and information disclosure risks. Attackers can exploit this flaw to harvest sensitive information from users' browsing sessions without their knowledge or consent, particularly when users encounter security warnings or authentication prompts. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the browser extension level, where extensions typically have elevated privileges and can persistently capture user data. This represents a violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a failure in the browser's security model to properly isolate sensitive contexts from extension access.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1112, which involves the manipulation of application execution flow. From a security perspective, this flaw demonstrates the importance of proper sandboxing and privilege separation in browser environments. The issue also connects to broader concerns about extension security and the need for robust permission systems that prevent extensions from accessing sensitive information beyond their intended scope.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to Chrome version 28.0.1500.71 or later, which contains the necessary security patches. Organizations should also implement strict extension management policies, regularly audit installed extensions, and educate users about the potential risks associated with browser extensions. Additionally, users should be cautious about granting screenshot permissions to extensions and should regularly review extension permissions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date browser software and implementing comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual extension behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.